President of Singapore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Singapore |
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Presidential coat of arms
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| Head of state of the Republic of Singapore | |
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| Residence | The Istana |
| Appointer | Parliament (1965–1991) Direct election (1991–present) |
| Term length | Six years, renewable |
| Precursor | Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore |
| Formation | 9 August 1965 |
| First holder | Yusof Ishak |
| Deputy | Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers |
| Salary | S$1,540,000 annually ($1,133,598 USD) |
The President of the Republic of Singapore is the head of state of Singapore. This means they are the official leader and representative of the country. The President performs important diplomatic duties. They also have special powers over the Government of Singapore. These powers include managing the country's money, called national reserves. The President can also approve or remove people from important public service jobs.
Before Singapore became fully independent in 1965, there was a similar role called the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. After Singapore gained independence, this role became the President. At first, the President's job was mostly ceremonial. This means they had a symbolic role, like a figurehead. Over time, the President gained more executive powers. These powers include the ability to reject certain laws. This is especially true for laws that involve the country's money. This system helps to keep a check and balance on the government.
Before 1991, the Parliament chose the President. Then, a change was made to the country's main law, the Constitution. This change allowed people to vote directly for the President. The first direct election happened in 1993. Singapore has a parliamentary system. In this system, the President is the head of state, but not the head of government. The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, is in charge of the government. Another change was made in 2016. This change allows a presidential election to be set aside for a specific ethnic group. This happens if no one from that group has been President for the past five terms.
The President must be fair and not take sides in politics. According to the Constitution, the President must be a Singaporean citizen. They must also be non-partisan, meaning they do not belong to a political party. The current President is Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He started his term on 14 September 2023. He was elected in the 2023 presidential election with 70.41% of the votes.
Contents
- The President's Role: A Look at History
- What the President Does: Constitutional Role
- Presidential Powers: What the President Can Do
- Becoming President: The Election Process
- Starting the Job and Rules for the President
- What Happens if the President Cannot Serve? Succession
- President's Pay and Benefits
- List of Presidents
- See also
The President's Role: A Look at History
The office of the President of Singapore was officially created on 22 December 1965. This date was set to be effective from 9 August 1965. That was the day Singapore became independent from Malaysia. Before that, the role was called the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. This role was created when Singapore gained full self-governance from the British Empire in 1959.
Early Presidents of Singapore
The last Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Yusof Ishak, became Singapore's first President. After he passed away in 1971, Benjamin Sheares took over. Parliament appointed him, and he served until his death in 1981.
Sheares was followed by Devan Nair. He had been a Member of Parliament before becoming President. Nair resigned in 1985. Then, Wee Kim Wee became President. He had served as an Ambassador before. Wee Kim Wee was the first President to use the new powers given by the 1991 constitutional changes.
Changes to the President's Powers in 1991
In the early 1980s, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) lost a parliamentary seat for the first time in 15 years. This made the Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, concerned. He worried that an election might one day lead to the opposition controlling Parliament. If that happened, they could use the government's money without limits.
So, in January 1991, a major change was made to the Constitution. This change redefined the President's role. It allowed the President to be elected by the people. However, there were strict rules about who could run.
The President also gained the power to veto (reject) the use of the country's reserves. They could also approve or remove people from important public service jobs. The President can also look into how the government uses laws like the Internal Security Act. They can also agree with the head of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to investigate corruption. This can happen even if the Prime Minister does not agree.
First Elected President and Later Developments
The first President elected by the people was Ong Teng Cheong. He had been the Deputy Prime Minister before. He won the 1993 presidential election and served from 1993 to 1999. The government officially considers Wee Kim Wee as the first elected President. This is because he held and used the new powers of an elected President.
S. R. Nathan became the sixth President. He had been an Ambassador to the United States. He ran without anyone opposing him because he was the only qualified candidate. He served two terms, from 1999 to 2011.
After S. R. Nathan, Tony Tan won the 2011 presidential election by a small number of votes. He became the seventh President on 1 September 2011.
In 2016, more changes were made to the Constitution. These changes created "reserved elections" for specific ethnic groups. This happens if no one from that group has been President for the past five terms.
Halimah Yacob became the eighth President on 14 September 2017. She had been the Speaker of Parliament. She was the only eligible candidate under the new rules. She was also the first Malay head of state in 47 years. Plus, she was the first female President of Singapore.
On 1 September 2023, Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected the ninth President. He had served as Deputy Prime Minister and Senior Minister before. He won the 2023 presidential election with 70.41% of the votes.
In November 2023, a new law was passed. It allows the President to hold international positions in their private life. This is only allowed if the position benefits Singapore.
What the President Does: Constitutional Role
The President is the head of state of Singapore. Besides that, their job is to protect Singapore's national money (reserves). They also ensure the honesty and fairness of Singapore's public service. The President has executive power in Singapore. They can use this power themselves or through the Cabinet or a minister. However, the Cabinet usually has the "general direction and control of the Government". In most cases, the President must follow the advice of the Cabinet.
However, the President can use some powers on their own. For example, they can stop the government from using reserves that were not saved during its current term. They can also remove or appoint people to key public jobs. These jobs include the Chief Justice and Commissioner of Police. The President also oversees the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). They also review decisions made under the Internal Security Act.
The President also helps make laws with the Parliament. Their main role in law-making is to approve bills passed by Parliament. The President usually opens each parliamentary session. They give a speech that outlines the government's plans. The President can also speak to Parliament and send messages to it.
The President is often called "Singapore's No. 1 diplomat". Ambassadors from other countries meet the President when they start their jobs. Foreign leaders also visit the President. The President also helps Singapore's relationships with other countries by making trips overseas. The President is also the head of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University.
Presidents have also supported good causes. Wee Kim Wee promoted sports. Ong Teng Cheong supported culture and the arts. S. R. Nathan started the President's Challenge. This program has raised over S$100 million for charities. These charities help people with disabilities and those in need.
Presidential Powers: What the President Can Do
The President's powers are divided into two types. Some powers the President can use on their own. Other powers must be used with the advice of the Cabinet or a minister. The President must also ask for advice from the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) for some duties. For other duties, they can ask for advice but do not have to follow it.
The Constitution gives the President special powers. These powers help stop the government from using money (reserves) that it did not save. For example, the government needs the President's approval to give guarantees or raise loans. The President's approval is also needed for the budgets of certain government organizations. This applies if these organizations use money from past reserves.
The President can also reject any bill in Parliament. This applies if the bill might use reserves not saved by the current government. They can also reject bills about the government's spending if it might use past reserves.
The President also approves changes to important public jobs. These include the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General. They also appoint the Prime Minister. This is a Member of Parliament who they believe has the support of most MPs. The President also oversees the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. They also review decisions made under the Internal Security Act.
Under the Singapore Armed Forces Act, the President can create and maintain the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The President can also form or combine units within the SAF.
In 2009, the government asked President S. R. Nathan for approval. They needed to use S$4.9 billion from past financial reserves. This was the first time this had happened. The money was used to help save jobs and businesses during a difficult economic time.
Becoming President: The Election Process
To become President, a person must meet strict requirements from the Constitution.
Who Can Be President? Qualifications
- The person must be a citizen of Singapore.
- They must be at least 45 years old.
- Their name must be on the list of voters.
- They must live in Singapore when they are nominated for election. They must have lived in Singapore for at least ten years in total before that date.
- They must not have certain disqualifications. For example, they must not be of unsound mind or an undischarged bankrupt. They must not hold another paid public office. They must not have committed certain serious crimes. They must not have gained citizenship in another country.
- The person must be honest, have good character, and a good reputation.
- They must not be a member of any political party when nominated.
- They must have held a senior position for at least three years. This could be as a Minister, Chief Justice, or CEO of a major government company. It could also be as a senior executive in a private company. This company must have had an average of S$500 million in shareholders' equity for the last three years. This experience should show they can manage financial affairs well.
Because of these strict rules, some elections had only one candidate. This happened in 1999, 2005, and 2017. In these cases, the candidate was declared President without a vote.
In November 2016, new changes were made. These changes allow for "reserved elections" for a specific racial group. This happens if that group has not had a President for five terms. Other changes expanded the list of eligible government companies. For private sector candidates, the required shareholder equity was changed to S$500 million. These changes started in April 2017.
How the Election Works
The President serves for six years. The office becomes empty if the President's term ends or if they cannot finish their term. This could be due to death, resignation, or removal from office. If the office becomes empty early, an election must be held within six months. Otherwise, an election can happen up to three months before the current President's term ends.
To run for President, candidates must get a certificate of eligibility. This certificate comes from the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC). The PEC makes sure candidates meet all the requirements. They check if candidates are honest and have good character. They also check if candidates have enough experience in managing financial matters.
Candidates must also get certificates about political donations. They must file their nomination papers on nomination day. A deposit must also be paid. If only one candidate is nominated, they are declared President. If there is more than one candidate, a polling day is set for voting.
During the election, candidates cannot spend more than S$600,000 or 30 cents per voter, whichever is higher. Rules also apply to holding meetings and displaying posters. Certain actions are against the law, like bribery or making false statements. Since 2010, the day before polling day is a "cooling-off day." No campaigning is allowed on this day or on polling day.
Polling day is a public holiday, and voting is required. Voters go to their assigned polling stations. After voting ends, the ballot boxes are sealed. They are then taken to counting centers. Candidates can ask for a recount if the vote difference is very small. If overseas votes might change the outcome, they are counted later. The candidate with the most votes is then declared President.
The Last Contested Election
The 2023 presidential election was the first election with a vote since 2011. Tharman Shanmugaratnam won this election. He received 1,746,427 votes, which was 70.40% of the valid votes.
Starting the Job and Rules for the President
The person elected President starts their job when the previous President leaves office. If the office is empty, they start the day after the election. When starting, the President must take an Oath of Office. They promise to do their duties well and be loyal to Singapore. They also promise to protect the Constitution.
Once elected, the President must follow certain rules:
- They cannot hold any other official job created by the Constitution.
- They cannot actively be involved in any business.
- They cannot be a member of any political party.
- They cannot serve in Parliament.
What Happens if the President Cannot Serve? Succession
If the President cannot do their duties, their powers go to the chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) temporarily. If the CPA chairman is not available, the Speaker of Parliament takes over. If both are unavailable, Parliament appoints someone to perform the President's duties.
President's Pay and Benefits
The Parliament of Singapore provides money for the President's expenses. This is done through a law called the Civil List and Gratuity Act. As of 17 February 2012, the President's personal pay is S$1,568,900. They also receive an entertainment allowance of S$73,000. The total amount for the President's personal expenses is S$1,646,400. This personal pay was reduced from a higher amount after a review.
The money for the President's personal staff is S$4,532,400. This amount covers staff salaries and other related costs. The allowance for the Istana's (the President's official residence) expenses is S$2,762,308. This covers maintenance, vehicles, utilities, and costs for ceremonies. This amount increased to cover higher costs for computer systems and building maintenance.
There are also funds for "special services," which amount to S$550,000. This money has been used for things like replacing state cars. Overall, the total amount for the President's expenses is S$9,491,100. This is about 18% less than the previous year's amount.
List of Presidents
See also
- Spouse of the President of Singapore
- Chief Justice of Singapore
- Prime Minister of Singapore
